User:Jeisenba~enwiki/Platform of European Social NGOs

Platform of European Social NGOs

The Platform of European Social NGOs – Social Platform – is an umbrella organization of European NGOs and networks. The objective of the platform is to strengthen the social dimension of the European Union. It is based in Brussels.

Agenda
The Social Platform is the central European network in the field of social policy. Major EU organs (European Commission and European Parliament) accept the platform as an advisor in social issues and employ an informal but regular dialogue with the platform.

The Social Platform was founded in 1995 and currently brings together 40 European NGOs, associations and networks, which are committed to strengthening the social dimension of the EU. A four-digit number of locally, regionally or nationally organised associations and volunteer groups are represented by their respective umbrella organizations in the Social Platform.

Topics covered by the members range from social justice, social services, health, lifelong learning to the fight against homelessness, racism and poverty. The large number of its members and the breadth of their respective fields of action give the Social Platform its political significance. In recent years the Social Platform has increasingly cooperated with other European networks, especially in the fields of consumer and environmental protection.

Mode of Operation
The platform receives about 80% of its funds from the European Commission. Additionally, it seeks external funding as part of project work.

The platform presents its ideas via written opinions, political campaigns, media relations, hosting of and participation in conferences and seminars and regular meetings with the representatives of EU institutions and other stakeholders:

•	Twice a year representatives of the European Commission meet with members of the Steering Group of the platform.

•	Members of the Management Committee take part two times a year in informal, high-level meeting with the current, previous and next EU Presidencies (Trio Presidency).

•	Two times a year, members of the Management Committee meet with the coordinators of the Committee for Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) of the European Parliament.

The platform develops its political positions in three working groups (see structure), which usually meet four times a year. Final decisions are eventually taken by the Steering Group. All full members of the Social Platform have a vote here.

Structure
•	General Assembly: The General Assembly brings together usually once a year all members to make fundamental decisions and the management committee to choose, including the President and other functions.

•	Management Committee: The Management Committee is elected by the General Assembly for two years. It directs the policy work, monitors processes and the implementation of work programs. Among the seven members are currently: Social Platform President Conny Reuter (Solidar), Vice President Heather Roy (EURODIACONIA) and Vice President Rodolfo Cattani (European Disability Forum).

•	Steering Group: The Steering Group members achieve a consensus on positions, which are prepared by the three working groups. Meetings are held four times a year. Main taskc are controlling and monitoring the implementation of the annual work program.

•	Working Groups: Policy positions and campaigns are usually prepared and planned in the Working Groups. They meet four times annually and aim to promote exchange between the members regarding their activities.
 * Social Policy Working Group: This working group discusses general topics of interest for European social policy (e. g. Open Method of Coordination and the Lisbon Strategy) and specific legislative proposals (such as maternity leave) and develops positions and recommendations.
 * Fundamental Rights and Anti-Discrimination WG
 * Services of General Interest WG: The Working Group analyses and comments on projects with regard to services of general interest in the context of European competition and internal market rules (cross-border health care, state aid, quality of social services, social economy).

•	Secretariat: The seven-member Secretariat is the executive organ of the Social Platform. It implements the work program and informs the platform’s members and supports their work. Director is Pierre Baussand.

Member Organisations
Membership of the Platform is open to European associations and networks of NGOs. The members of the Platform are organizations committed to the interests of women, older people, people with disabilities, the unemployed, the poor, homosexuals, adolescents, children and families. Furthermore, member organizations are engaged in the area of social justice, lifelong learning, fight against homelessness or racism.

Among the best known

• AGE - The European Older People's Platform • Caritas Europa • COFACE - Confederation of Family Organisations in the EU • EAPN - European Anti-Poverty Network • EDF - European Disability Forum • EPHA - European Public Health Alliance • EURAG - European Federation of Older Persons • EURODIACONIA • ICSW - International Council on Social Welfare • ILGA-Europe - The European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Association • Solidar • Workability Europe •